The show needs an Anton type that can partner the older or more reticent lady with a bit of humour and charm. He provides a bit of balance from the latin specialists and his own latin skills are perfectly adequate for a partner who is a beginner. Although I can live without seeing him jive again, all of the pros have something that make me cringe.

The majority of his former partners seem to love him as well so he obviously does something right as a teacher.

Nice to see that I'm not alone And like you, I too find Anton more entertaining than a majority of the other male pros. But I'm not going to make a large thing of it; someone might start a witch hunt!

I only hope the BBC are not grooming him to take over from Bruce when he retires. That would be the end of Strictly for me. I have never liked Anton and his personality.

You mean like Darren did with Lynda? James with Cherie? Brendan with Jo? Vincent with Stephanie? Darren with Gloria? Yeah, we totally need Anton.

Exactly, all of the other male pros can do that as well, the difference being they can also successfully partner a younger woman as well! My own opinion is that Laila would have got further in the competition had she danced with the likes of Matt or Brendan...

I actually think she would have come more or less exactly the same position, it just would have been in a far less embarrassing way. She could have come fourth legitimately, having done some decent/acceptable latin routines, instead of through a horrendous sympathy vote.

I think she might have had the chance of the semi final, but that's not much further anyway. I don't think we'd have had a different final no matter what happened. But yes, agreed completely about the fact that she wouldn't have needed a sympathy vote at all, or illegal lifts in her otherwise enjoyable paso, which was the only Latin of hers I liked!

Personally I think Laila looked the part big time, but lacked the ability to dance well. I don't believe that the other pros would have got much more out of her than Anton. I have thought that of other celebs, but not Laila. She had major problems remembering routines. Doing slow Latin she was fine as long as she was in hold, out of hold Anton was constantly guarding against her dancing the wrong step, guiding her when ever possible. With the Latin dances she was rarely on the beat and there is little anyone can do when someone is just slightly off beat the whole time. I liked Laila, but I doubt if she was easy to teach.

He must know who to sleep with It's getting ridiculous, they are getting rid of great dancers and keeping _this_.

I don't like Anton, but that's out of line - it's not his fault the BBC offered him a new contract!

Its such a strange decision to keep the worst all round dancer that there must be more to it. It shows the decision has nothing to do with his dancing ability. Keeping Anton will show the public that the beeb are in charge and it doesn't matter if he comes out with racist comments the beeb wont sack him if they don't want to. Also, this furor will also deflect from the fact that Alesha is still a judge and she still bloody useless at it

I am not sure I agree with this. I think Laila had major confidence issues with Latin & I don't think Anton did anything to help her get over this. I think a better teacher could really have helped here. It will be interesting if she ever does the tour - it wouldn't surprise me if her Latin improved with a different partner.

i am sad that ian is not in strictly this year.

I think we do actually.

Although Darren, James et al did a great job with all of those ladies there is always the sneaking feeling that they have been lumbered. An older lady doesn't tend to last more than the first few weeks so it can seem a bit of a waste regardless of how nice the partnership is.

You don't get the same feeling with Anton.

I don't get that falling at all. Darren was so lovely with Gloria- and didn't make a fool out of her in the Rumba or Jive, something I don't think Anton would have managed. He is still in contact with her today, and supports her charity as well.

Brendan clearly thought very highly of Jo, and stuck up for her against the judges.

James choreographed challenging routines for Cherie, not assuming that her age meant she wasn't a contender.

... I could go on.

I can think of so many examples where pros male and female have had absolutely lovely relationships with older celebs. I actually think most of the other pros are better with the older celebs than Anton is.

We'll have to disagree on this one, as I think Laila's problems were not just down to a lack of confidence (if at all).

Brendan was incredibly supportive of Jo, almost uncharacteristically so - they really did get on well and he was great at teaching her, it was her lack of ability natural ability that meant they were knocked out when they were.

James got Cherie to week 9 and it should have been further. They did incredible routines, some of the best of that series, and got on (in Cherie's words) 'famously' - and it showed in their training footage. James has admitted several times he thought she was sexy and talented and never felt lumbered with her at all, they had a great time.

9 weeks isn't a few either no matter what way you look at it!

You don't like Anton. We get it.

Oh so we're not allowed to rebut opinions now then? Katie was just saying what she's thinks, which is the whole point of these boards. No need to be rude about it. Plenty of people don't like James, but the only time I get annoyed is when it's a personal attack on his integrity or something which isn't true is said. Opinions I can tolerate.

I also agree that pros other than Anton have shown they can teach celebs like those mentioned, although James stands out for me more than the others. He really seemed to shine at producing suitable choreography.

I would miss Anton as he makes me laugh, but I don't understand this decision.

Gill, this is exactly what I've just posted on the new "Brucie" thread - the trouble is, the more I think about it, the more I think you and I (and countless others probably) have hit on the truth - the BBC are worried Brucie will not be up to it but think he is well-loved, SO .... have a "young Brucie" ready to take over?

My own opinion on this is simple:

I did suggest this yesterday, but Anton is still my first choice to replace Bruce.

Personally i always thought if Laila had a different partner (Matthew or Brendan) she would have gone further than she did. I remember Alesha saying in an interview that potentially she was one of the best dancers there but never really delivered.

At the start i thought she would be one of the finalists but after a good start she really did dissapoint. I think the whole race issue thing broke down their partnership up as well.

No no i like Anton aswell but others don't and that's fine, there is no need for anyone to not feel welcome, i hope you don't as i don't.

I am shocked though that he is still in it as i really thought he would be the first to go. I wonder if he and Erin are as shocked as alot of us.

I agree about his latin and i am no expert so imo he should get whoever the older lady is this year.

the only rationale I can think of is that they want to keep Erin - who is imho a great dancer and teacher and they are concerned if they ditch Anton they will lose Erin.

Frankly i think Anton can easily be replaced, and so can Brendan that matter who tbh lost his appeal at least 2 series ago.

Matt is one of the best dancers they have (imho) and one of the most popular pros who knows how to make his partner look good. He is the type they shoud be keeping not sidelining. Personally I think its a disgrace.